Fire Point’s Ukrainian long-range ballistic missile, the FP-9, is set to be ready as early as autumn 2026, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with Reuters. The manufacturer had previously reported that the system had a claimed range of up to 850 km and noted that it could potentially strike targets in the Moscow area. At the same time, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine would intensify strikes on Russian oil refineries in response to Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, but does not plan to carry out indiscriminate strikes on civilian targets.
- The FP-9, with a claimed range of up to 850 km, is due to be ready in autumn 2026.
- Zelenskyy stated that he had personally urged Fire Point to speed up the development of the missile.
- Ukraine plans to step up strikes on Russian oil refineries in response to attacks by the Russian Federation.
- As part of Operation «Vivaldi», Zelenskyy estimates that the territory recaptured covers approximately 140 km².
«Where’s my FP-9?»: Zelenskyy calls for the rocket to be brought forward
The FP-9 will be a longer-range development of the missile range Fire Point. Ukraine has already confirmed this week that The first combat deployment of the FP-7, after which Zelenskyy stated that it was necessary to move towards scaling up production.
The President said that he had telephoned Fire Point’s management and demanded that they speed up the completion of FP-9.
«I told them: where’s my FP-9? We need the FP-9. And the FP-9 will be ready this autumn, I’m sure,» said Zelenskyy.
Fire Point previously reported that The FP-9 will have a range of up to 850 km. Initially, the company had aimed to complete development by the end of 2026, so Zelenskyy’s comments suggest a more ambitious deadline — sometime this autumn.
The manufacturer has not publicly disclosed the exact specifications of the warhead, the guidance system or the production configuration of the FP-9.
Will the FP-9 really be able to reach Moscow?
The stated range is 850 km significantly expands the capabilities of the Ukrainian missile programme compared with FP-7, which is currently reported to have a combat range of approximately 250 km.
Fire Point has claimed that the FP-9 is capable of reaching Moscow. However, the actual reach of a specific target depends on the launch area, trajectory, warhead and the actual performance characteristics of the production-model missile; therefore, 850 km should currently be regarded precisely as the specified performance of the future system, rather than as an independently verified combat range.
Ukraine plans to step up strikes on Russian oil refineries
Another part of Mr Zelenskyy’s remarks concerned the response to the change in Russia’s strike tactics. The President said that Ukraine intends to step up its attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, first and foremost oil refineries, which generate revenue for the Russian economy.
According to Zelenskyy, the response will be linked to Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy, transport and other infrastructure. At the same time, he specifically emphasised that Ukraine does not intend to copy Russia’s tactics of indiscriminate strikes on civilian targets.
The statement was made following a series of attacks on bridges across the Dnieper in Kyiv, which led to traffic restrictions and significant transport problems in the capital. The strikes on Kyiv’s river crossings have become a new element of the Russian campaign.
«Vivaldi» has returned around 140 km² — Zelenskyy
Separately, the President provided an update on the progress of Ukraine’s counter-offensive operation «Vivaldi» in eastern Ukraine. Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian troops had regained control of approximately 140 square kilometres the Donbas region.
At the same time, on 30 September, the President’s official website reported a higher figure following a meeting with the command of the 3rd Army Corps — 176 km² since the start of the offensive operation. It was also reported that more than 5,000 Russian soldiers had been killed or wounded, and 250 prisoners of war.
Casualties among Russian troops have risen
The Ukrainian General Staff has reported that in September, Russian forces lost 46,230 military personnel killed and wounded — this is the highest monthly figure reported by Ukraine in 2026. In July, 42,860 casualties were reported; in August, 42,020.
At the start of the year, the figures were generally in the region of 26,000–34,000 per month. However, these figures are estimates provided by the Ukrainian General Staff; it is not possible to carry out an independent, real-time verification of the full extent of losses on both sides.
If the FP-9 does indeed enter operational service in the coming months, it will become the longest-range publicly known ballistic missile of a new Ukrainian design. However, key issues remain: the completion of trials, standardisation and the feasibility of mass production in significant quantities.
